Transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced a £794m investment package to boost rail links in the North and South
The new funding includes £760m for the delivery of the next phase of East West Rail, which will create 1,500 skilled jobs, and restore direct rail services between Bicester and Bletchley for the first time since 1968.
It also includes £34m to rapidly progress plans to reopen the Northumberland line between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ashington, which closed to passengers in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts.
Shapps has also called on local authorities, MPs and community groups to submit bids for a share of the third and final round of the Department for Transport’s ‘Ideas Fund’.
‘Put communities back on the map’
Transport secretary Grant Shapps, said: “Restoring railways helps put communities back on the map, and this investment forms part of our nationwide effort to build back vital connections and unlock access to jobs, education and housing.
“Returning these routes to their former glory, and progressing work to reopen even more lines and stations shows our commitment to levelling up journeys across the country as we build back better from the pandemic.”
Simon Blanchflower, chief executive officer at East West Railway Company, commented: “We are delighted that the government has shown a big commitment to East West Rail and the Oxford-Cambridge arc with today’s investment decision.
“This funding will enable us to get on with the construction work that will connect communities who live on the East West Rail link.
“We are committed to improving connectivity across the Oxford-Cambridge arc, and fully recognise our responsibility to ensure that it is delivered in a way that minimises disruption, supports the regional economy, maximises benefits and supports jobs across the region.”
The latest round of the Ideas Fund will run until 5 March 2021 with successful bids due to be announced later this summer.
